Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need To Know Before Your Adventure
Bookings and Payment
01.
How do I book a tour in Cabo, and how much do I pay upfront?
You can book through the booking form on our website or by WhatsApp. To secure your spot, we ask for a 50% deposit when you book, and the remaining balance before the tour: 48 hours before for local tours and courses, and 72 hours before for day trips. For tours in November and December, our peak season, full payment is required to confirm. If you book more than 30 days ahead, we hold your spot at no charge and send you the payment link 30 days before the tour. You'll find all the details on our Policies page.
02.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can. We work with small groups, so spots are limited, especially in November and December. Booking more than 30 days ahead costs nothing upfront: we simply hold your spot.
03.
What payment methods do you accept?
Bookings are paid by card, in Mexican pesos (MXN), through a secure payment link. Cash is accepted for optional extras on the day and, on bookings of several consecutive days from January to October, for the days after the first one.
04.
What currency will I be charged in?
All online payments are processed in Mexican pesos (MXN). If your card is from outside Mexico, make sure it's enabled for international payments, and keep in mind that your bank may apply its own exchange rate or foreign transaction fees. A card with no foreign transaction fees is the best option.
05.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price includes everything listed on the tour page, as well as dock fees, taxes and required permits. The only extras are optional: add-ons such as scuba gear rental or a private trip, and gratuities for the crew, which are welcome but entirely up to you.
06.
Do you offer discounts?
Our prices are fixed, so every guest pays the same fair rate. We don't offer individual or group discounts, because our rates reflect the real cost of running small groups with premium gear and certified guides.
07.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
It depends on how far in advance you cancel. More than 30 days before your tour, no payment has been taken yet, so you can cancel free of charge. After that, for tours from January to October, cancellations made more than 48 hours before a local tour or course, or more than 72 hours before a day trip, are refunded minus a 5% processing fee. Closer to the date, a 50% refund or no refund applies. Tours in November and December have longer deadlines. Please check our Policies page for the full terms.
08.
What happens if the tour is cancelled due to weather?
Safety always comes first. If we have to cancel because of the weather, sea conditions or a port closure, you can choose between rescheduling or a full refund, with no fees.
09.
What happens if the minimum number of guests is not met?
We'll let you know by the day before departure and offer you an alternative date, another experience or a full refund. If you'd rather keep the original date, you can choose to cover the remaining spots to guarantee the departure. And if none of these options work for you, we can connect you with a trusted operator that already has a confirmed trip.
Planning Your Trip
01.
Where do your tours depart from?
All our local tours leave from the Cabo San Lucas marina. We don't have a physical shop: we work by reservation only, which lets us keep our groups small and our service personal. Once your booking is confirmed, we'll send you the exact meeting point and time.
02.
Do you offer hotel pickup?
For local tours, the meeting point is always the Cabo San Lucas marina. For day trips, such as La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, La Ventana or Puerto Chale, round-trip transportation is included, with pickup at your hotel or at an agreed meeting point.
03.
Can I join a tour if I arrive on a cruise ship?
Yes. Our meeting point at the Cabo San Lucas marina is within walking distance of the cruise pier. Just tell us your ship's arrival and departure times when you book, so we can recommend the tour that fits your schedule.
04.
What is the minimum age to join a tour?
It depends on the activity. As a general guide: 6 years old for boat tours such as whale watching and snorkeling, 10 for Discover Scuba Diving and the PADI Open Water course, 12 for the Advanced Open Water course and 18 for Gordo Banks. Minors must always be accompanied by an adult. You'll find the exact age on each tour page.
05.
Can I join if I can't swim?
On whale watching tours you stay on the boat, so no swimming is needed. On our snorkeling tour, the guides are in the water with you at all times, so it's suitable for beginners who feel comfortable in the water. For scuba diving, you don't need to be an expert swimmer, but you do need to feel at ease in the water.
06.
Can I take part if I have a medical condition?
Please tell us in advance. Some conditions, such as heart or respiratory problems or recent surgery, may need written clearance from a doctor before diving, so it's better to check before you travel.
07.
Can I join if I'm pregnant?
For safety reasons, our boat tours are not suitable for pregnant guests. Boats are in constant motion and there is a risk of slips or bumps onboard.
08.
What should I bring?
For any boat tour: a swimsuit, sunglasses, a hat or cap, and a sweater or jacket, since it can be cool on the water, especially in the morning. A camera is always a good idea. We provide water, soft drinks, light snacks and reef-friendly sunscreen, and towels on the tours where you get in the water.
09.
What if I get seasick?
If you're prone to seasickness, take medication such as Dramamine about one hour before departure. We can't provide medication, but we carry natural ginger pearls onboard, which help reduce nausea. It also helps to eat a light meal, low in fat and dairy, at least one hour before, to stay hydrated and to avoid alcohol the night before.
10.
Are tips included?
No. Gratuities for the captain and crew are not included in the price. They are always welcome but entirely up to you.
11.
What languages do your guides speak?
Our guides speak English, Spanish and French.
Scuba Diving
01.
Can I scuba dive in Cabo without a certification?
Yes. With our Discover Scuba Diving experience you dive with an instructor by your side at all times, with no certification or previous experience needed. The minimum age is 10. If you'd like to get certified, our PADI Open Water course takes three half days.
02.
When is the best time to dive in Cabo, and what is the water temperature?
You can dive in Cabo all year. The warmest water is from August to mid-December, around 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C), with the best visibility of the year. From late December to July it's cooler, around 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C), with changing visibility and plenty of marine life.
03.
Do I need a wetsuit to dive in Cabo?
Yes, most of the year. We recommend 3 mm from August to mid-December and 5 to 7 mm from late December to July. The exact change depends on the year. If you rent your gear with us, we'll give you the right wetsuit for the season. If you're bringing your own and aren't sure about the thickness, just ask us.
04.
What's the difference between the Marine Park and the Corridor?
The Cabo San Lucas Marine Park is just minutes from the marina, with rocky reefs, walls, the Sand Falls at Pelican Rock and a deep underwater canyon. The Corridor is 20 to 30 minutes down the coast, with shallower, calmer reefs and more hard coral, where turtles and eagle rays are common. You can also dive both areas in a single trip.
05.
I haven't dived in a while. Do I need a refresher?
If it's been a year or more since your last dive, we recommend our Scuba Refresher: two dives in the Marine Park where you review your skills with an instructor before joining other dives.
06.
How many divers are in each group?
Our groups are small: usually 2 or 3 divers per guide, and never more than 5. Divers are grouped by experience level, so everyone dives at a pace that suits them, with thorough briefings before every dive.
07.
Is scuba gear included, and can I bring my own?
Full gear is included in Discover Scuba Diving and in our PADI courses. For certified dives, tanks and weights are included, and you can rent the rest of the gear with us or bring your own. Rental rates are listed on each tour page.
08.
How long should I wait to fly after diving?
We recommend waiting 12 hours after a single dive, 18 hours after two dives, and 24 hours after more than two dives or several days of diving.
Wildlife & Seasons
01.
What marine life can I see in Cabo, and when?
It depends on the season. Humpback whales are in Cabo from December to April, and mobula rays gather mostly from May to July. Hammerhead sharks are best seen at Gordo Banks from August to January. On our day trips, you can join an ocean safari in La Ventana from late April to September, swim with whale sharks in La Paz from November to April, dive with sea lions in La Paz from September to May, see gray whales in Puerto Chale from January to March, and dive with bull sharks in Cabo Pulmo, mainly from October to May. Reef fish, turtles and rays are here all year.
02.
When is whale season in Cabo?
Humpback whale season in Cabo runs from December to April. January to March is usually the best time, and March and April are a great time to see mothers with their calves.
03.
When is mobula ray season in Cabo and La Ventana?
Mobula rays gather in Cabo mainly from May to July, and in La Ventana from late April to July, when huge groups come together and even leap out of the water. You can see them on our Ocean Safari in Cabo or on our day trip to La Ventana, in the Sea of Cortez, where we snorkel alongside them when their behavior and conditions allow it.
04.
Can I see orcas in Cabo or La Ventana?
Orcas can be seen in the Sea of Cortez all year round, but their presence is unpredictable and sightings are never guaranteed. In La Ventana, they're more frequently spotted between April and July, during our ocean safari season.
05.
Are there sharks in Cabo?
Yes. Hammerhead, silky, blue and mako sharks can appear offshore at different times of the year, depending on water temperature and currents, and hammerheads are best seen at Gordo Banks from August to January. You can see them on our Ocean Safari or on our Gordo Banks dives. Our guides read each animal's behavior before anyone gets in the water, and we only enter when the sharks are calm and the conditions are right.
06.
Where can I swim with sea lions near Cabo?
The best place is Los Islotes, a sea lion colony near Espíritu Santo Island in La Paz, about 2 hours by road from Cabo. Our day trip runs from September to May. It's designed for certified divers, and snorkelers can join the same boat when space allows. From June to August, diving and snorkeling with sea lions are not allowed because it's their breeding season. In Cabo, sea lions are often seen resting on the rocks at Land's End, but encounters in the water are only occasional.
07.
Can I swim with whales or whale sharks in Cabo?
Swimming with whales is prohibited in Mexico, so in Cabo we watch humpbacks from the boat, always at a respectful distance. Whale sharks are very rarely seen in Cabo: to swim with them, join our day trip to La Paz, from November to April. Gray whales don't gather in Cabo either, but you can see them up close on our day trip to Puerto Chale.
08.
What's the difference between whale watching and the Ocean Safari?
Whale watching is a 2.5-hour tour focused on humpback whales, from December to April, always watched from the boat. The Ocean Safari lasts up to five hours and goes offshore in search of whatever wildlife shows up that day, with the chance to snorkel when the animals' behavior and Mexican regulations allow it.
09.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. As with any wildlife experience, animals move freely in their natural environment, so sightings can never be guaranteed. What we can do is use our local knowledge, daily reports and experience to give you the best possible chance.
10.
Can we touch or feed the animals?
No. We follow a strict no-touch policy to protect the ecosystem. That means not touching, chasing or feeding wildlife, so the animals can behave naturally and our impact stays as low as possible.
11.
What if I don't feel comfortable during the activity?
Every activity starts with a safety briefing, where we explain the equipment, the rules onboard and how to behave around wildlife. Our team is with you at all times, and you can take a break or return to the boat whenever you need to.
Private Tours
01.
What's the difference between a private and a shared tour?
Shared tours are small-group experiences, with limited spots to keep the service personal. Private tours are exclusive to your group, with more flexibility in timing and pace. A private tour is a great option if you want privacy and a more tailored day, and it also guarantees your departure without depending on a minimum group size.
02.
Can I book any tour as a private tour?
Yes. All our tours can be booked privately, including whale watching, the Ocean Safari, snorkeling, scuba diving and our day trips. Just let us know when you contact us and we'll send you the options for your group.
03.
Can we customize a private tour?
To a certain extent. On a private tour we can be more flexible with the departure time and the pace of the day, and you can tell us what you'd most like to see or which dive sites interest you. The final route and sites are always decided by your guide and captain on the day, based on safety, sea conditions and wildlife activity.
04.
How many people can join a private tour?
It depends on the activity and the boat. Our private experiences are designed around a base group size, with the option to add more guests. Contact us and we'll recommend the best option for your group.
05.
Are your PADI courses private?
Yes. We teach our PADI courses privately, so the training adapts completely to your schedule and pace. If you're traveling with family or friends, you can take the course together.
06.
Do you organize custom or multi-day expeditions?
Yes. If you don't find the experience you're looking for, or you're planning a trip for a group over several days, we can design a custom expedition and take care of the logistics. Tell us your idea and we'll put together a plan for you.